(July 24, 2015)ATLANTA, Georgia – The road to the US Open starts in Atlanta with the BB&T Atlanta Open this weekend with qualifying. The BB&T is a ATP World Tour 250 event, with a 28 player singles and 16 player doubles draw. Total prize money this year is $585,870.00. The venue is set in downtown Atlanta, amongst the sky scrapers and shopping of Atlantic Station. Two time champion and former University of Georgia all-time leader in singles and doubles wins, John Isner returns in search of a historic three-peat.

Arguably the best doubles team of all time, Bob and Mike Bryan make their debut in the BB&T. They got their first tour win in an Atlanta event in 1998. Defending doubles champ and singles semifinalist Jack Sock, along with doubles partner Vasek Pospisil, are looking to take another step in their development. The doubles draw could be very interesting if a showdown between the Bryan brothers and “Popsock” materializes. It was only a year ago that Pospisil/Sock denied the Bryans the Wimbledon 2014 title.

Marco Baghdatis is already turning heads in the ATL. As he dropped off his racquets for stringing by the Prince Team at the Serious Tennis tent with Deana Buzzy Mitchell, he was reportedly, “very sweet and winked at me!” That kind of behavior is sure to make him a fan favorite with at least half of the crowd. Americans Steve Johnson, Tim Symzek, and Donald Young are also looking to make a statement. In what could be a big story line, two time champion Mardy Fish is returning to the tour in this tournament. He has struggled with health issues almost since the last tournament win in Atlanta. He’ll also be teaming up with another former Atlanta champion, Andy Roddick. Roddick will not play in the singles main draw, but is playing an exhibition match against another young American, 17 year old Frances Tiafoe on Monday night. Tiafoe created a stir in the qualifying last year and has been granted a wild card into the main draw. Other crowd favorites returning include Dudi Sela, last year’s finalist, 2013 finalist Kevin Anderson, and 2012 finalist Giles Muller. The draw will also include 4 players from a 32 draw qualifying tournament to be played this weekend.

2015 French Open Boys’ champion Tommy Paul and this year’s Wild Card Challenge winner Trent Bryde have accepted two wild card spots into that BB&T Atlanta Open qualifying tournament. Paul is the No. 5-ranked American junior. Bryde had to make his way through 5 matches in the Wild Card Challenge. Georgia Tech also is providing a wild card to sophomore Christopher Eubanks. Eubanks was named all Atlantic Coast Conference as a freshman last spring and finished ranked number 47 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.

Ticket sales have been on a record pace according to Tournament Director Eddie Gonzalez. Atlanta has always been a tennis town, with the largest local doubles league in the United States. There will be several special events that are part of the tournament scene, including the above mentioned exhibition with Roddick, a kids weekend with special ticket promotions during the qualifying tournament, a Commodores concert, College Night, another concert featuring LoCash, Ladies Day, USTA member appreciation day, and a Family Zone presented by Prince at Atlantic Station where kids can play tennis.

(July 27, 2014) John Isner won his ninth ATP World Tour title on Sunday by defeating Dudi Sela of Israel 6-3, 6-4 to win the Atlanta Open for the second straight year. It was the American’s fourth Atlanta final in five years.

“The field is so tough at this event,” Isner said. “I’m so happy to win this. I consider myself fortunate that this event is even here. It’s a big advantage for me to play in Georgia and to have a lot of support.”

“Isner went for his shots and played more freely,” Sela said. “With his return game, he just went for it.”

In doubles action, Wimbledon champions Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil reman a perfect 10-0 as a doubles team, capturing the title with a 6-3, 5-7 10-5 over Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey.

“[Johnson and Querrey] played well, but we felt like we were playing better than they were even after losing the second set, said the Canadian Pospisil. “We just had to stay calm in the [Match Tie-break] and go point by point.”

“We’re trying to make the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals,” said Sock. That’s one of our goals this year on the side, aside from improving our singles rankings.”

(July 26, 2014) ATLANTA – Young American Jack Sock took on veteran John Isner on Saturday at the BB&T Open in the first singles semifinal. Hotlanta certainly was up to the nickname. Conditions were compared to this year’s Australian Open, when players were understandably concerned. The difference? In Atlanta, the humidity combined with the heat makes it more difficult for the body to cool itself. Despite the conditions, both men came out in dark colored tops. Isner said, “It’s not easy conditions at all playing, doing anything. Heat like that is tough. I don’t know how the fans endure it.” Despite conditions, Isner started off on the right foot, unlike yesterday. He was striking winners off his forehand and backhand, though his first serve was off and he only had three aces for the first set while serving 48% on that delivery. Sock looked better able to handle the conditions early in the match, moving better with his head up and working for points while Isner was content to let some balls go. Isner has been accused of playing “possum” a bit in matches, but the two men train together, so that was not in the cards today. (In the southeastern United States, possum refers to a marsupial whose primary method of defense is to play dead until an opportune moment, at which time they either wander off or show impressive teeth and a willingness to fight.)

As expected, rallies were mostly short, one or two strokes after a return. The first deuce point occurred at four games apiece, with Isner serving. On Isner’s very next service game, Sock seemed to fully get his teeth into Isner’s deliveries and forced him to rally. With an untimely double fault, Isner handed Sock his first break point opportunity. With a second serve coming, Sock got the return back into play and correctly anticipated Isner’s inside out forehand and just missed a pass off the tape that might have made all the difference and he clearly knew it. Isner took full advantage and held with a blistering forehand and 128 MPH ace. Serving at 5-6, perhaps Sock wasn’t able to clear the thoughts of the missed opportunity and missed his next three serves, the first two a double fault. His fourth serve was punished by Isner for an easy winner. Isner was certainly feeling it, as he challenged on the third point of the game on a ball that was solidly on the line. The challenge may have given Sock some time to settle himself, as he took that point and the next two to get to 40-30. Isner toughened and Sock got a bit loose. Combined, that let to nine deuces before the matter of the twelfth game and ultimately the first set could be settled. Sock chose the more difficult down the line forehand on a short ball and clipped the tape. Isner sealed the first set on his third try with a Sock backhand error, 7-5, on a ball that did not seem that difficult.

Sock settled in despite early pressure from Isner in the first few games of the second set. Certainly, he showed maturity beyond his young age, keeping his wits about him and continuing with good fight through two games all. On Sock’s serve, at 2-3, Isner made a challenge on a ball called out right in front of Sock. It turned out to be a wise challenge, as review showed the ball good. The chair awarded the point to Isner. Sock argued that the call by the linesman affected his play on the ball and that the point should be replayed. It was very tough to tell when the call came, though it did appear that Sock had a play and chose not to play the ball and the linesman made the call late. Sock struggled with himself throughout the game. He told the chair umpire “You ruin matches, you know that.” To his credit, Sock worked through the game and held to get to three all.

Perhaps the game energized Isner, as he showed no signs of playing possum or “lollygagging around” as he kept the pressure on Sock, with extremely high kicking second serves that Sock had lots of trouble returning mixed in with a few more aces on first serve deliveries. On Sock’s service games, Isner was clearly trying to attack with frequent approaches and crushed forehands. The strategy led to some impressive shots as well as shanks, one of which may have stopped traffic on nearby Interstate 75. The crushed forehands from Isner looked to do damage to anything they hit. Isner stepped up his serve to hold to get to 5-4. The game went for three straight service winners, only to be interrupted by an Isner miss on the only ball Sock got in play in the whole game. Isner closed the game with an ace. Sock stepped in to serve, down 4-5, to stay in the match. After more impressive shanks by Isner, Sock let a thirty love lead evaporate on a poor attempt at a slice back hand and floating forehand winner by Isner. Isner stepped up again and committed to the rally and Sock missed to give Isner a match point. Sock saved it with aggressive play, leading to an overhead to get back to deuce. Unfortunately for Sock, he double faulted immediately to give Isner another match point. Sock played bravely, nailing a ball onto the left baseline that Isner challenged unsuccessfully. If out, it would have ended the match. Sock could not manage to rally on the subsequent deuce, missing a forehand to give Isner a match point. Sock finally donated a double fault to hand the match to Isner, 7-5, 6-4. He will either face Dudi Sela or Benjamin Becker in the finals on Sunday.

When asked about his possible opponent on Sunday, Isner expressed no preference. He mentioned that “They said on TV I was 2-0 against Becker, though I can’t remember the two times I’ve played him. He’s another college product. He went four years at Baylor. That would be kind of cool, two four year college guys. Dudi, I remember I played him in Delray Beach this year. I beat him 7-6 in the third. Although he is slight of stature, he doesn’t mind playing guys with big serves. He beat Querrey. He beat Pospisil. He’s just an extremely talented player that can do so much with the ball. I don’t know who to favor.”

Before an appreciative packed house at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Israeli Dudi Sela took on German Benjamin Becker over three tough sets for a chance to play local favorite John Isner With the first two sets virtual mirror images, with each man winning a set 6-3, the match came down to a tight third set. With Becker giving him only one opportunity to break, Sela took full advantage to get to 4-2. Becker had five opportunities to break at that time, but had not cashed in. Both men could feel the pressure, but Becker stepped up with a forehand winner to finally break right back. Sela was far from done, hitting his picture perfect backhand for winners at crucial times and breaking again to allow him to serve for the final, 5-3. Sela went for his shots and earned his first match point with a nice forehand retrieve that Becker shanked. On the very first match point, Sela seized the opportunity with a blistering forehand that was too much for Becker. It will be only his second final. He has experience playing big servers like Isner. He eliminated Pospisil and Querrey earlier in the Atlanta tournament. In Columbia, he played Ivo Karlovic and used a chair to shake his hand after the match.

Sela really appreciated the support. “This atmosphere is great! I love Atlanta.” Somehow, even with a well educated Atlanta tennis crowd, I expect former Georgia Bulldog John Isner will be feeling a bit more love. The last time they played, it took Isner a third set tiebreak to overcome Sela. The local support may be all the edge Isner needs.

(July 9, 2014) NEWPORT – Day Three of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, saw solid performances from top seeds, and expected results from the tournament’s big servers and grass court specialists.

The only minor upset of the day was Israel’s Dudi Sela ousting his higher-ranked opponent, No .8 seed Adrian Mannarino, in straight sets. Sela had a strong serving day, winning 82% of points on his first serve and converting five of six break points against the Frenchman. Sela, one of the shorter players on tour, will now face the tallest, Ivo Karlovic, whose 18 aces was too much for serve-and-volleyer Sergiy Stakhovsky to handle, the Croatian winning 7-5, 7-6.

The tournament’s top four seeds also won through to the quarterfinals in straight sets. Defending champion Nicolas Mahut beat Australia’s Luke Saville in an hour, 10 minutes, out-serving the 20-year-old Australian qualifier, breaking him on four occasions. “It was a tough match,” said Mahut, “He’s a good player on grass. This kind of surface you have to be really focused on your serve and take the opportunity. It was much better than yesterday and I hope tomorrow will be even better.”

His serving will need to stay solid in his quarterfinal match against Australian Sam Groth, who although still outside the top 100, is one win away from reaching that milestone after another solid serving performance saw him through his match against Malek Jaziri. Groth’s ace count against the Tunisian was remarkably high at 24, ominous for his next opponent, who said, “He’s serving huge, he’s a very, very powerful player. So if I had to play against him I will have to be really concentrate on my serve, and then wait for something, maybe a double fault once, try a good return and waiting for the small opportunities I will have. But the first thing is to keep my serve, I’ll be really focused on that.”

Tournament top dog John Isner required less time and less aces against fellow American Austin Krajicek, defeating him on Center Court 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour. “It was a pretty clean match,” said Isner, “I guess I got up early in both sets, and for me, that helps so much. I feel like I play pretty well when I’m playing ahead, especially on this surface too. It was a good match, very happy with it.”

Isner’s quarterfinal opponent was decided in a match between Rajeev Ram and Jack Sock, 21-year-old Sock coming through on top. Sock and Isner, both good friends, are looking forward to the quarterfinal. “He and I practice a lot and have become pretty good friends,” said Sock of Isner, “We obviously know each other pretty well now. We both know each other’s games pretty well so it should be whoever can execute better, I guess.”

Sock, fresh from winning his second grand slam – a Wimbledon doubles title with Vasek Pospisil, defeating the Bryan brothers in the final – is enjoying the burst of confidence he’s received into his singles game. “No matter what tournament it is, even doubles,” said Sock, “Whenever you win a match, it can only help, and especially the slams. I think that when you can get that run going into to second week of any slam, singles or doubles, and then you end up, like we were, fortunate enough to play on the weekend, second week of a slam, there’s only a few guys left in the locker room. It’s pretty cool, it’s a pretty special feeling. And to be able to be there and then go out on Center Court and play, and be lucky enough to win against the best team, probably, of all time in doubles, it can only help your confidence.”

Isner, who has not lost to Sock in four matches, seemed positive about Sock’s future in the game ahead of their first meeting on grass. “We’re both gonna want to win,” said Isner, “We’re good friends; we may even go out to dinner tonight, or even tomorrow night. I’ve gotten especially close to him now that he’s moved to Tampa. We train together, we use the same strength coach, we’re always training together. He’s a good friend of mine and someone who – I think, in a sense, he might look up a little bit to me. I’m certainly much older than him but he’s – in my opinion – got an incredibly bright future. He’s got a lot of weapons in his game, especially with that forehand of his, which is world class. So, he’s only gonna get better.”

The winner of Isner/Sock will face – in the semifinal – the winner between Lleyton Hewitt and Steve Johnson, who both graduated comfortably past their round-of-16 opponents, Ante Pavic and Tatsuma Ito, respectively. While Hewitt and Johnson won’t contest their quarterfinal tomorrow, the 33-year-old Aussie won’t be resting entirely. He’s one of five Australians remaining in the doubles draw at the quarterfinal stage. After his match with Pavic, Hewitt revealed, “I only play doubles most of the time to play with guys that I’m going to play Davis Cup for Australia with. That’s the only real reason that I play doubles. We’ve got a Davis Cup tie later in the year and Chris Guccione and I will most probably be playing doubles there, so it’s good to get some more matches.”

Dave Gertler is a tennis journalist, player and musician based in Sydney covering Newport for Tennis Panorama News. Follow his Twitter updates from the tournament @TennisNewsTPN, follow him on his personal Twitter @davegertler, read his blog, and listen to his podcast, Tennis Days .